Discover Syunik: Springs, Nature and Culture

Experience water and trails outdoors

From Tatev Monastery, visitors can hike the Devil’s Bridge Trail to Devil’s Bridge; the free HIKEArmenia app can be used for this. Canyoning adventures in Syunik also pass through Vorotan Canyon and lead to Devil’s Bridge. For planning a trip together, this is a clear distinction between a hike and a canyoning experience. The Legends Trail, meanwhile, connects Goris and Kapan over 150 kilometres—a very different scale for anyone considering a longer route. In the village of Antarashat, you can go horseback riding and enjoy views of Mount Tapasar.

The landscape also offers specific points of interest for nature lovers. Shaki Waterfall in Syunik Province is 18 metres high. Mount Khustup reaches 3,201 metres and is the highest peak of the Katar Range in Syunik. The Vorotan is the main water source for Syunik Province and an important natural landscape in Armenia. Each of these places and landscapes offers a distinct focus, without needing to combine them into a single excursion.

Arevik National Park lies on the southern slope of the Meghri spur of the Zangezur Range and in the watersheds of the Astghadzor and Nyuvadi rivers. Wildlife and birdwatching are possible in the park. Alongside water and mountains, observing animals and birds is another nature-related interest to consider. If, when choosing a holiday rental in Syunik, you first decide whether your trip will focus more on nature, culture or a mix of both, you can shape your plans around the places that interest you most.

Cultural sites, rock art and regional collections

Among the archaeological discoveries is Zorats Karer, also known as Karahunj: the site lies in the highlands of Syunik Province, near the town of Sisian. Large basalt slabs stand upright there, arranged partly in circles and partly in rows. At Oughtasar, ancient rock paintings dating from the 5th to the 2nd millennium BC have been preserved at an elevation of about 3,300 metres. The two sites offer different ways to explore the past: the striking arrangement of basalt slabs at one, and rock art at high altitude at the other.

The church of Mrgadzor Khach is located in Old Khot. Baghak Kar, also called Baghakakar Fortress, is one of the well-known fortresses of Syunik. In Meghri, the old neighbourhood of Pokr Tagh presents a different picture: its narrow, cobbled lanes wind between centuries-old houses carved into the rock. Regional craft traditions also form part of the cultural landscape; textile and carpet weaving have been preserved in Syunik.

Those interested in artefacts and regional history will find relevant collections in two museums: the Sisian History Museum has an ethnographic collection from the Syunik region, including household items, traditional clothing and textiles. The Goris Local Lore Museum houses more than 5,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects. These collections and historic sites complement nature experiences with different perspectives on life and the history of the region.

Places and ways to get around

To visit Tatev Monastery, you can choose a private or group tour, a rental car or a taxi. Public transport will take you to the nearby town of Goris. The Wings of Tatev aerial tramway, also known as Tatever, connects the village of Halidzor with the village of Tatev, where the monastery is located. This information can help you include travel options for Tatev in your plans without conflating them with the region’s other routes and destinations.

Explore the subregions of Syunik further through these destination pages: Kapan, Sisian, Meghri, Halidzor, Tatev, Agarak, Ashotavan and Goris.

For the broader travel overview: Armenia.